It's a shame that September is coming to an end, and with that, the end of 2013. Please come back. I'm not ready to turn 23 yet! This might be my longest blog entry to date.
The South still lives in a cycle of ignorance. Now it's not the college campuses themselves, but their Greek houses, which are more like country clubs than anything else. I have my issues with fraternal organizations in general (too much groupthink, life is devoted to the group and I tend to like to spread myself somewhat thin) . The worse fact, is that in Alabama (and the University of Albama) it is kind of tolerated. We as a nation have a LOT of work to do in the field of civil rights. And I do applaud the group of students who are leading and participating in the movement, but your university has a 12% AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT BODY. It's the Deep South, for crying out loud. How about this: slavery and racism was legal for three hundred years, so affirmative action gets to survive another two hundred and fifty (I count the last fifty years). There's enough folks from the North now living in the South. Are they now becoming comfortable with the lax Southern lifestyle? I know my aunt still cringes when people down there use racist terminology.
Jessa Duggar, one of those Duggar kids from Arkansas, is now dating. And why is it a big deal? The family of at one point of twenty-one, is ULTRA conservative. It's not dating. It's public boyfriend vetting. Or hunting season! (Of course, I'm obviously joking when I say that, but the two lovebirds are definitely in for both a rude awakening and an invasion of privacy). I do agree with Jim Bob (a name right out of a Robin Williams stereotype) that courtship has the advantage as the families get to know each other. Not a bad at all, as when you date someone you're going to date their family as well.
Carl Sciortino is running for Congress in Massachusetts. Turns out his father has given his openly gay son support, and his father is also a Tea Party member. It's not the first time that liberals and the Tea Partiers have come together.
I'm with David Dinkins on Rudy Giuliani. As New Yorkers learned the hard way, Rudy is like an attack dog. And his divorce and remarriage also didn't earn him a lot of support.
Not surprisingly, Bill de Blasio is leading Joe Lhota for mayor. It's a reliable city for Democrats in national elections, and only moderate Republicans ever get elected. My support is for de Blasio, but I'm concerned he's going to go La Guardia in regards to fiscal policy (spend more than the city has and expect the feds to pick up the tab). But I think Lhota's campaign is having a panic attack: they don't know how to survive the wave that has overcome the de Blasio movement. Of course, one of my Facebook chums, Sherry Wolf (the LGBT socialist scholar and activist), is slightly suspicious and not confident in de Blasio. And I can understand why: his plan isn't completely great. And I do believe that de Blasio will debate Lhota. But it's not going to change the race any. The former deputy mayor isn't going to change his standing among voters. It's like 2006 in New York City. The conservative/independent moderates have run the city for twenty years, and voters are a little weary of another Republican.
As many of you know, I harbor criticism of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). This isn't something I knew until I read this, and it only makes me question LDS policy even further. Non-Mormons cannot be present at the actual marriage ceremony if they themselves are not Mormon. How couples get around this is beyond me. In the past, "temple marriages" were the second wedding, as travel to the West was quite time consuming. And if you want a temple marriage, be prepared to undergo a church background check, before they issue a "temple recommend". Pretty much, if you're Mormon, expect to jump through hoops in order to get married, or else leave the church.
I'll have the local judge officiate my wedding, thanks.
I happen to agree with the author of this Politico article. One of President Obama's weaknesses is he can't sell shit. Obamacare is partially a failure because it's too complex for a nation with a really short attention span. Obama's pitch for the Affordable Care Act is deplorable to say the least. Why didn't the administration reach out to Apple for help? Steve Jobs was still alive at that point, and he was a marketing genius. Heck, even I'm a better salesperson.
Reading that Elizatbeth Warren having ANYTHING good to say about Larry Summers was disheartening. Of course, it was her saying that the former Treasury Secretary was not her first choice for the position of Federal Reserve Chairman. A "brilliant economist who has made many terrific contributions to the field of economics"? And all that after he sunk your bid to run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau back in 2010? I have nothing good to say about Larry Summers. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Nyet. And no, I don't want to see Rand Paul as president.
The Democrats are recruiting veterans to run for public office next year. GOOD CALL. Veterans are always seen as good by traditionally the more conservative of the independent voters, and as patriotic, something the Democrats have always struggled with. If John Walsh, the lieutenant governor of Montana runs for the US Senate, I'd join his campaign team, volunteer if need be. Sadly though, it doesn't pay the bills unless I'm on his campaign payroll. But the lieutenant governor and I have a few things in common: both of us are SUNY graduates, he's EXACTLY thirty years my senior and his credentials are strong. And Wendy Davis in Texas, who can bring in some good donor cash. And for her to run for governor is not a liability: she's not up for reelection until 2016. Supposedly, she's against marriage equality, but that's Texas in general. And if she is, she seems like the one that will keep it private and would pull a John Lynch on the subject-be personally opposed to it but legalize it under strict conditions. And plus, Davis is a magneto for the Texas Democrats. She's energizing, spunky and serious about getting things done.
Kevin Trudeau being released from jail is never a good thing. He's a professional con artist and a threat to the public's health. FactCheck has fact checked his findings, and it's GAHBAGE! (UPDATE: April 2014-he's going back to jail for a second term!)
I'm guilty of this: having gone to a small liberal arts college, in LITERALLY the middle of nowhere. How about we add some further insult to injury: it's a college in the Northeast. Number 8 in the list didn't apply: our athletes didn't own the school, it was the music and fine arts students.
The airline industry here in the United States is quite honestly a wreck. Pilots with bachelor and masters degrees are working minimum wage and sometimes not able to make ends meet. I believe that we need price floors on airline tickets here in the United States (along with a raise in wages across the board). I salute United Airlines for bringing back the old slogan Fly The Friendly Skies. Ironically, they aren't so friendly but quite unfriendly. And I don't mean United specifically but the industry as a whole, although kudos to jetBlue for helping autistic parents out with air travel and making autistic children comfortable with air travel. Could you guys have an Autism Awareness Blue advocacy jet? And while we're on marketing, Jeff Wagner is a GENIUS. He should have a Kickstarter campaign for sure. Although raunchy, his advertisement is effective because it's so tacky, and quite neutral.
Ted Cruz, I have no good words for you. Your drive to destroy Obamacare is only making me want to volunteer in a few years to make sure you are voted out of office. I see him as a jerk, and I apologize for the harsh words. And Nancy Pelosi, as much as I hope to see the Democrats win back the House, you being Speaker is not included. You're too polarizing. The Republicans have made it clear they couldn't care less about the working poor. The food stamp program, surprisingly, is a good public assistance program-I read somewhere that for every dollar spent a dollar and seventy cents is returned in economic activity.
I believe that both the parents and Brian Holloway are in the wrong here. The former NFL star has every right to be angry. His house was trashed, and by kids who he knows though his own kids, apparently. And being he's a local, the Times-Union has spared no expense showing the hypocrisy of the whole situation. I'm not going to rush to conclusions because I know not a lot on the story.
Finally, I'm on a mercy mission to sometime in the next few years to bring back As Told By Ginger back from the dead. It was killed off too soon, by network execs that didn't give a crap and the writer(s) might have tried a little too hard (especially trying to stay too family friendly). Here's something to live by: some of the worst episodes of South Park are the ones where Trey and Matt try too hard. It's not like Emily Kapnek has anything better to do. (See ABC's Suburgatory. I've watched it, and it's a decent show, although the main character in real life is WAY old to play a teen). ATBG (the acronym for the show) was actually landmark among cartoons for preteens and teens: there's character development, the characters go from being in middle school to high school for the show's initial run, the characters have a wardrobe and style change frequently and the show is never in a standstill state. It was a show in perpetual motion. And there's themes too: some episodes are informally in a two-part sequence. I could see the show further evolving, but being able to last by appealing more to the South Park crowd, without having to become vulgar. Here's something: having it on a major network might change the dynamics a little bit, as it doesn't have to be explicitly family friendly. How about some crazy adventures (like the gang making a ski trip to Whiteface and the next day finding themselves in Montreal?). As long as it's not vulgar, it's good. Mark my words: when I become a successful author, there will be a Kickstarter project. My goal? Preferably $2 million, but I'd even be happy with a half million. I believe the show has a cult following among my age group.
Wow, I've just realized I'm as much of a writer as Ginger Foutley herself. Go Sasha!*
*One of the characters on As Told By Ginger is coincidentally named Sasha, and that character is male.
P.S. Something to add to my reading list
Monday, September 23, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
Sasha's commentary for September 16, 2013, Part II: Post-Miss America Edition
It seems like there's always bad news in New York: manufacturing in the state sucks, the press corps in Albany is VERY CONSERVATIVE, our sports teams suck (unless you're the Yankees or are a football team that actually plays in New Jersey). So yes, New Yorkers have become VERY accustomed to cynicism. But yesterday was a great day for Upstate New York. The Bills beat the Panthers and the Sabres beat the Habs, in overtime. And a girl from Syracuse won the title of Miss America. Nina Davuluri, your city and state are proud of your hard work, and even moreso by breaking barriers while doing it. This year I think is the year that beauty pageants, thought of as dead, made a comeback, and part of that has to do with diversity. It's no longer a country club. And it seems that even if you are different, as long as you're Miss America material, you're in.
New York has now joined Oklahoma and Mississippi as the only states that have won back-to-back Miss America competitions. But not everyone is happy: Twitter became a madhouse of hatred and racism. It even made the news in Canada. And how can picking a native New Yorker be an insult to those who died on 9-11? It shows that New York instills good values and beliefs in its natives, that New York is a global American state, that it's borders are much larger than they appear. There's one nice thing about Twitter: it exposes people's true colors. Can't beat that, right?
It seems that America has A LOT of emotional growing up left to do. I hope the tragic events of that Tuesday morning in 2001 did not cause America to emotionally snap. I'd tell Nina to stand tall through this: ignorance is sadly part of the American tradition. If it had been me on that stage (of course, as Alexandra Ivanoff and not Alexander Ivanoff!) winning for New York they'd say the judges wanted to make a statement for those with developmental disabilities and that a "retard" shouldn't be Miss America. And someone who is Russian: we still see those from Eastern Europe as a bunch of "pinko commies." Why do people hate diversity? What's wrong with being different? We can't help who we are, just like I can't help being autistic. It's just how I was born.
Not that everyone understands how bad things have been in New York (dysfunctional government, poor job growth), but it's excused. We as a state have had a rocky last few years and we can use all the good news we can get. And yesterday, we got three pieces of great news.
*Also, Miss America and Miss USA are totally different ballgames. There's none of this, this, and that.
**Let's go easy on Carrie Prejean. It wasn't that she gave a poorly delivered answer on marriage equality, it's moreso the response itself.
***How about a pageant for geeks! There's enough hot girls out there who know more math than I will ever do and can do computer programming, etc.
****Also, Miss Kansas, Theresa Vail, who not only is serving our country in the armed forces AND has two tattoos, is managing to learn to fly (I want someone to verify that for me). Aviation needs all the women it can get.
*****This is as perfect as this entry will be, and I still want to write more.
New York has now joined Oklahoma and Mississippi as the only states that have won back-to-back Miss America competitions. But not everyone is happy: Twitter became a madhouse of hatred and racism. It even made the news in Canada. And how can picking a native New Yorker be an insult to those who died on 9-11? It shows that New York instills good values and beliefs in its natives, that New York is a global American state, that it's borders are much larger than they appear. There's one nice thing about Twitter: it exposes people's true colors. Can't beat that, right?
It seems that America has A LOT of emotional growing up left to do. I hope the tragic events of that Tuesday morning in 2001 did not cause America to emotionally snap. I'd tell Nina to stand tall through this: ignorance is sadly part of the American tradition. If it had been me on that stage (of course, as Alexandra Ivanoff and not Alexander Ivanoff!) winning for New York they'd say the judges wanted to make a statement for those with developmental disabilities and that a "retard" shouldn't be Miss America. And someone who is Russian: we still see those from Eastern Europe as a bunch of "pinko commies." Why do people hate diversity? What's wrong with being different? We can't help who we are, just like I can't help being autistic. It's just how I was born.
Not that everyone understands how bad things have been in New York (dysfunctional government, poor job growth), but it's excused. We as a state have had a rocky last few years and we can use all the good news we can get. And yesterday, we got three pieces of great news.
*Also, Miss America and Miss USA are totally different ballgames. There's none of this, this, and that.
**Let's go easy on Carrie Prejean. It wasn't that she gave a poorly delivered answer on marriage equality, it's moreso the response itself.
***How about a pageant for geeks! There's enough hot girls out there who know more math than I will ever do and can do computer programming, etc.
****Also, Miss Kansas, Theresa Vail, who not only is serving our country in the armed forces AND has two tattoos, is managing to learn to fly (I want someone to verify that for me). Aviation needs all the women it can get.
*****This is as perfect as this entry will be, and I still want to write more.
Sasha's commentary for September 16, 2013: Keep Bringin' on the Crazy
It seems that no matter what anyone does, the world only becomes a crazier and crazier place. And sadly, there is not much we can do to change that. My heart goes out to the families of the victims of this morning's shooting at the Naval Yard in Washington D.C. Although I believe that almost any one who wants to own a gun should have the right to, there are also people who are willing to go on mass rampages who probably have the mental state that would allow them to do such a destructive deed. Even words can be destructive.
Fix the Family is one of those pro-family Catholic groups and one of their writers believes that college is harmful to young women, and that women need not have post-secondary education. Hogwash, just hogwash. Anyone who has the academic aptitude for higher education should go for it, no questions asked. And the whole "sinful environment?" You'll find that anywhere and everywhere. And plus, college could quite likely make a future mother a better one, as she might study biology and have a better understanding that if, God forbid, her child have a lingering medical condition through his childhood. This group seems just like Focus on the Family, Roman Catholic edition. And by the way, disapproving dads, here's something that might be of comfort: women make up the majority of a majority of college campuses in the United States. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if less men enter college in a few years. Of course, the stay-at-home mother role is always nice (and stressful) but at the same time if a woman wants a career, let her go for it.
Marianne Johnson-Reddick appears to have had a tortured soul, sadly, or something seriously wrong. When your kids trash you in an obituary either it's a prank or they mean it. Quoting the obituary, which was taken offline:
State legislatures had five years to do this: start coughing up money or find a way to bill Amtrak for passenger rail service. In two weeks, many of Amtrak's regional routes might be canned due to a lack of funding. Do that, and you're going to be in for trouble. Amtrak has sadly been neglected by Congress since it's inception in 1971 and Amtrak has always seemed to have one foot in the coffin. We shouldn't be trying to kill passenger rail in the country but instead have it grow and blossom. Then again, Pennsylvania's Governor Tom Corbett could give any less care about the state of PA's infrastructure, and the last thing that is needed is more SEPTA routes to be cut. I feel that Congress should extend that by another year and give the states time to get their act together. Otherwise come October 1st, Amtrak is going to be a hollow shell. Although many transit providers need very little in the way of actual operations funding, many (like Amtrak) need capital funding to buy new equipment/build new infrastructure and to maintain the equipment/infrastructure.
And finally, I didn't know this, but there's actually a proper way to read a textbook. Wow!
Fix the Family is one of those pro-family Catholic groups and one of their writers believes that college is harmful to young women, and that women need not have post-secondary education. Hogwash, just hogwash. Anyone who has the academic aptitude for higher education should go for it, no questions asked. And the whole "sinful environment?" You'll find that anywhere and everywhere. And plus, college could quite likely make a future mother a better one, as she might study biology and have a better understanding that if, God forbid, her child have a lingering medical condition through his childhood. This group seems just like Focus on the Family, Roman Catholic edition. And by the way, disapproving dads, here's something that might be of comfort: women make up the majority of a majority of college campuses in the United States. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if less men enter college in a few years. Of course, the stay-at-home mother role is always nice (and stressful) but at the same time if a woman wants a career, let her go for it.
Marianne Johnson-Reddick appears to have had a tortured soul, sadly, or something seriously wrong. When your kids trash you in an obituary either it's a prank or they mean it. Quoting the obituary, which was taken offline:
She is survived by her 6 of 8 children whom she spent her lifetime torturing in every way possible. While she neglected and abused her small children, she refused to allow anyone else to care or show compassion towards them. When they became adults she stalked and tortured anyone they dared to love. Everyone she met, adult or child was tortured by her cruelty and exposure to violence, criminal activity, vulgarity, and hatred of the gentle or kind human spirit.Turns out that she had another dark side, quite possibly:
On behalf of her children whom she so abrasively exposed to her evil and violent life, we celebrate her passing from this earth and hope she lives in the after-life reliving each gesture of violence, cruelty, and shame that she delivered on her children. Her surviving children will now live the rest of their lives with the peace of knowing their nightmare finally has some form of closure.
in 1970, Marianne Reddick, owner of the Academy Personnel Agency, testified before the Nevada Equal Rights Commission that she had "White Only" printed on work referrals because she didn't want to embarrass African-Americans, apparently by sending them to jobs where businesspeople wanted only whites (she said a local businessperson had chewed out one of her job counselors for sending a black applicant on a job referral);Fun, right? And this is something I didn't know: there's a movement to ban paid obituaries. That's one of the stranger ban movements I've seen. However, being hateful towards people, especially children is just plain wrong.
State legislatures had five years to do this: start coughing up money or find a way to bill Amtrak for passenger rail service. In two weeks, many of Amtrak's regional routes might be canned due to a lack of funding. Do that, and you're going to be in for trouble. Amtrak has sadly been neglected by Congress since it's inception in 1971 and Amtrak has always seemed to have one foot in the coffin. We shouldn't be trying to kill passenger rail in the country but instead have it grow and blossom. Then again, Pennsylvania's Governor Tom Corbett could give any less care about the state of PA's infrastructure, and the last thing that is needed is more SEPTA routes to be cut. I feel that Congress should extend that by another year and give the states time to get their act together. Otherwise come October 1st, Amtrak is going to be a hollow shell. Although many transit providers need very little in the way of actual operations funding, many (like Amtrak) need capital funding to buy new equipment/build new infrastructure and to maintain the equipment/infrastructure.
And finally, I didn't know this, but there's actually a proper way to read a textbook. Wow!
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Sasha's commentary for September 11, 2013: Stuff that causes autism edition
Autism is back in the news again: sadly a girl in Michigan almost died early last week when her mom tried killing herself and the daughter through carbon monoxide poisoning. But this story will have somewhat of a happy ending: originally doctors were thinking that she would be permanently brain damaged. WRONG! Although that can't be ruled out right now, she is talking, responding and breathing on her own. I wish Issy my best wishes for a speedy recovery. I can't say that her mother's blog entry is a suicide note. Also, I don't know how severe Issy's autism is. Never mind: a YouTube video shows a little bit. I'm not sure if she's on the same level that Carly Fleischmann is on.
I thought autism was caused by...DING DING DING!!! Genetics! For me, genetics is the only logical cause for autism. Emily Willingham has compiled a long list of weird stuff that causes autism. Too much money? Look deeper on that one: do successful and smart people have the tendency to carry genes that cause autism? And families with money have better access to care and testing. I only buy that one so much. Okay, I'm not too far from the loony bin in regards to weird stuff causing autism: I used to believe that if males drank heavily before conception (e.g. an alcoholic), the sperm cells would be damaged.
Quoting myself
And it gets worse: Jenny McCarthy is now one of the hosts on The View. God help us. Really. Sure, she might be the parent of an autistic child, but so is my mom and many other mothers out there. I have to ask this: what makes her so high and mighty? I hate being rude, but as someone on the spectrum (and someone who wants to one day have a family of his own), I have to ask that question. Of course, she's only 99% full of sh*t. There are cases of vaccine injuries/accidents, so the former Playboy playmate isn't entirely crazy. But vaccine safety has immensely improved since the early 90s or even since my now 13 and 14 year old brothers were born.
I remember the South Street Seaport mall very well. I always thought it was a neat looking place. It's a shame that it's being torn down and replaced with something ritzier. Well, at least it's going out in style.
I wouldn't mind going on a technology fast one of these days, but it would be a challenge. And for an entire year? This family in Canada I give a lot of credit to. Don't know why the girlfriend's last name is missing. I think all Americans could use a little bit of a technology and media detox.
It's obvious why NYC isn't the best city for college grads looking for work. Something needs to change or New York will become a state filled with old people. Austin is an obvious, since it seems Rick Perry has a well-oiled state. He's turned Texas into the China of the United States. How's about this one Governor? Build a freaking subway in Houston. Some liberal ideas aren't bad ones. But NYC does have some things in its favor, including excellent public transit and good quality of life.
*I know it's 9/11, but although the day is tragic, it's also another day as well. There are 365 days in a year. We barely remember Pearl Harbor anymore, which is sad considering I had a grandfather that served in World War II.
I thought autism was caused by...DING DING DING!!! Genetics! For me, genetics is the only logical cause for autism. Emily Willingham has compiled a long list of weird stuff that causes autism. Too much money? Look deeper on that one: do successful and smart people have the tendency to carry genes that cause autism? And families with money have better access to care and testing. I only buy that one so much. Okay, I'm not too far from the loony bin in regards to weird stuff causing autism: I used to believe that if males drank heavily before conception (e.g. an alcoholic), the sperm cells would be damaged.
Quoting myself
Conceiving a child is like playing Russian roulette: you never know the outcome.Of course, it's a little more complex than that, since the world is a toxic place, at the same time though, an all natural world is almost impossible. Start with twin siblings: find out why one twin is neurotypical and the other is on the spectrum. It's no lie that the world is toxic: people in Beijing are desperate for clean air. Why did we show them capitalism? Why oh why? Back to autism though: there's plenty of things that can cause autism: lack of brain at birth could always be plausible. Or how about trauma during pregnancy? Did anyone think of that one?
And it gets worse: Jenny McCarthy is now one of the hosts on The View. God help us. Really. Sure, she might be the parent of an autistic child, but so is my mom and many other mothers out there. I have to ask this: what makes her so high and mighty? I hate being rude, but as someone on the spectrum (and someone who wants to one day have a family of his own), I have to ask that question. Of course, she's only 99% full of sh*t. There are cases of vaccine injuries/accidents, so the former Playboy playmate isn't entirely crazy. But vaccine safety has immensely improved since the early 90s or even since my now 13 and 14 year old brothers were born.
I remember the South Street Seaport mall very well. I always thought it was a neat looking place. It's a shame that it's being torn down and replaced with something ritzier. Well, at least it's going out in style.
I wouldn't mind going on a technology fast one of these days, but it would be a challenge. And for an entire year? This family in Canada I give a lot of credit to. Don't know why the girlfriend's last name is missing. I think all Americans could use a little bit of a technology and media detox.
It's obvious why NYC isn't the best city for college grads looking for work. Something needs to change or New York will become a state filled with old people. Austin is an obvious, since it seems Rick Perry has a well-oiled state. He's turned Texas into the China of the United States. How's about this one Governor? Build a freaking subway in Houston. Some liberal ideas aren't bad ones. But NYC does have some things in its favor, including excellent public transit and good quality of life.
*I know it's 9/11, but although the day is tragic, it's also another day as well. There are 365 days in a year. We barely remember Pearl Harbor anymore, which is sad considering I had a grandfather that served in World War II.
The Twelth Anniversary
I can remember 9/11 faintly.
I has just started the sixth grade. I was, for a lack of a better term, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Despite having been told earlier in the year that I would not be allowed to head back to Brewster because I still had problems in school, I was optimistic about the future. The novelty of being in a new school had not worn off.
Then an announcement came over the PA. The principal or assistant principal told us to head down to the auditorium for an assembly. I thought it was going to be good news. It turned out I was wrong. The principal or assistant principal (I forget who it was) told us that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. They at that time (it was 9AM) thought that it was a Cessna that hit the towers. Needless to say the entire school was drenched in rumors through the day. There were rumors that there were other planes involved (which sadly was the case) and that the towers collapsed (also sadly was what happened).
Thankfully, I was spared tragedy on 9/11. My uncle, who could have possibly been on the flight that departed Newark (or not, as he flew Continental at that point) was in Arizona on business, and spent the day figuring out how to get back to the east. He rented a car and drove from Arizona to New Jersey. My stepdad was home by 1PM, driving the wrong way up one way streets to leave the city before the city became sealed off.
9/11 hit really close to home in another way. The father of a girl who I THINK I sat with at lunch in the first grade died while trying to rescue people in the towers. He was with the FDNY. And I recall a few people from my middle school in Westchester County who were dealing with the loss of a parent.
When two widebodied jetliners hit the Twin Towers, that all went down the toilet. Yes, the two Boeing 767s that hit the towers were twin aisle, widebody jetliners that in a pinch could fly across the Atlantic.
I just pray that we are a stronger and smarter nation post-9/11, but I'm questioning that. It's a tragic day and for the three thousand people who died that day may they rest in peace.
I has just started the sixth grade. I was, for a lack of a better term, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Despite having been told earlier in the year that I would not be allowed to head back to Brewster because I still had problems in school, I was optimistic about the future. The novelty of being in a new school had not worn off.
Then an announcement came over the PA. The principal or assistant principal told us to head down to the auditorium for an assembly. I thought it was going to be good news. It turned out I was wrong. The principal or assistant principal (I forget who it was) told us that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. They at that time (it was 9AM) thought that it was a Cessna that hit the towers. Needless to say the entire school was drenched in rumors through the day. There were rumors that there were other planes involved (which sadly was the case) and that the towers collapsed (also sadly was what happened).
Thankfully, I was spared tragedy on 9/11. My uncle, who could have possibly been on the flight that departed Newark (or not, as he flew Continental at that point) was in Arizona on business, and spent the day figuring out how to get back to the east. He rented a car and drove from Arizona to New Jersey. My stepdad was home by 1PM, driving the wrong way up one way streets to leave the city before the city became sealed off.
9/11 hit really close to home in another way. The father of a girl who I THINK I sat with at lunch in the first grade died while trying to rescue people in the towers. He was with the FDNY. And I recall a few people from my middle school in Westchester County who were dealing with the loss of a parent.
When two widebodied jetliners hit the Twin Towers, that all went down the toilet. Yes, the two Boeing 767s that hit the towers were twin aisle, widebody jetliners that in a pinch could fly across the Atlantic.
I just pray that we are a stronger and smarter nation post-9/11, but I'm questioning that. It's a tragic day and for the three thousand people who died that day may they rest in peace.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Why Conservatives are Wrong About Deregulation
The news earlier in the week that CBS and Time Warner Cable ended their dispute had me thinking for the millionth time that there is certainly something wrong with deregulation and how companies can take customers for granted. Media access is more expensive than ever, and media regulation is also at an all time low. My opinion of Leslie Moonves, the head of CBS, could not be lower (even post Viacomm becoming a separate entity), especially with the networks all or nothing approach. And the Internet is fueling some of this: we are blasted by so many pop-up ads that we have become somewhat angered. Of course, I am well-aware that networks need to pay people too, but I also think over-compensation is an issue too. An example here: I'm not going into politics for the money. It's more for improving the lives of people, and (God willing) when I have kids, they grow up in a better world than I did.
Even the Brits know better: they have a government office devoted to keeping competition alive. Sometimes Laissez faire needs a little help. I believe competition is a good thing, and that regulation keeps an even playing field. Of course overregulation, especially when an industry is in danger of collapsing, just like the railroad industry in the United States did in the 1950s-1970s, should be avoided at all costs. And although safety is important, if implementing safety harms investment (which might lead to more safety!), then I am against toughening rules.
I also like regulation especially if it means for improvements to service. If we regulated cable television providers like we do other utilities, it might mean that we could put money into investing in the very infrastructure that makes the technology possible.
KISS*: I support regulation when it means that I have more choices, and government allows me to have a choices of whatever it may be, whether it be airline service or my wireless phone provider. Hypercapitalism, especially the American brand, makes this all impossible. I support capitalism, but I also am smart enough to realize that even it needs reins to keep it in check.
*Keep It Simple, Stupid
Even the Brits know better: they have a government office devoted to keeping competition alive. Sometimes Laissez faire needs a little help. I believe competition is a good thing, and that regulation keeps an even playing field. Of course overregulation, especially when an industry is in danger of collapsing, just like the railroad industry in the United States did in the 1950s-1970s, should be avoided at all costs. And although safety is important, if implementing safety harms investment (which might lead to more safety!), then I am against toughening rules.
I also like regulation especially if it means for improvements to service. If we regulated cable television providers like we do other utilities, it might mean that we could put money into investing in the very infrastructure that makes the technology possible.
KISS*: I support regulation when it means that I have more choices, and government allows me to have a choices of whatever it may be, whether it be airline service or my wireless phone provider. Hypercapitalism, especially the American brand, makes this all impossible. I support capitalism, but I also am smart enough to realize that even it needs reins to keep it in check.
*Keep It Simple, Stupid
A Death of Liberalism, or a Setback?
In the last week, the left-wing governments in both Norway and Australia have been voted out of power, something that does bother me quite a bit. I have in prior blog entries have made no bones about my liberal, almost socialist views on many issues. My political ideologies are somewhat in line with those of Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, one of my political heroes. And when I see a country
I'm starting to fear that worldwide, people are losing faith in liberalism. And I wouldn't be surprised. Many of these nations are holding their first elections since the Great Recession, and many voters in some countries are tired of the same old way of doing business.
I also believe in a form of politician support amputation, which is (there has to be a better word for "politician support amputation") when a political party persuades a weak candidate to move aside for a stronger candidate. However, there are some years that the party in power will just collapse. Some of those problems might include a slew of incumbents deciding to not run for re-election (and the party holding the seat might have trouble finding a good enough replacement). And America right now is a lost nation: we sold out to the Chinese and we're seeing China's manufacturing affect the world like a tumor. A loss of manufacturing and blue collar jobs that pay well might have some people running towards conservative beliefs. And in general we live in a society that cultivates conservative beliefs, especially with men. I think most people equate liberals with sissies.
Here in the United States, I have an impression that the Democratic Party, which is the liberal party here, is seen as not patriotic unlike the Republican Party, which is our nation's conservative party. And that might harm voter impressions, along with an American mindset that is very anti-taxation. Part of it might just be simple ignorance, but I also think it might be a generational issue too: although youth in the USA might want to support a conservative brand, they themselves don't support the ideology. In fact, nearly three-fourths of millennials (that would be my generation) support marriage equality. And it's not surprising. For us, same-sex relationships aren't new, it's a norm. We're used to them and we accept them. Same thing with birth control, use of public transportation, and other things Americans associate with liberalism. Conservative groups say that millennials are abandoning liberalism. Hogwash. The only reason why Romney did better than McCain did four years ago with the 18-35 age group is not quite Obama's fault. Job creation has been slow, and there are your handful of college students who didn't feel like supporting the President this time around. I bet the lack of support is associated with struggles in regards to job searching among college graduates.
So if you are a politician, and want to be guaranteed a permanent job as a legislator or as an executive, keep this in mind. It's the economy, you idiot!
I'm starting to fear that worldwide, people are losing faith in liberalism. And I wouldn't be surprised. Many of these nations are holding their first elections since the Great Recession, and many voters in some countries are tired of the same old way of doing business.
I also believe in a form of politician support amputation, which is (there has to be a better word for "politician support amputation") when a political party persuades a weak candidate to move aside for a stronger candidate. However, there are some years that the party in power will just collapse. Some of those problems might include a slew of incumbents deciding to not run for re-election (and the party holding the seat might have trouble finding a good enough replacement). And America right now is a lost nation: we sold out to the Chinese and we're seeing China's manufacturing affect the world like a tumor. A loss of manufacturing and blue collar jobs that pay well might have some people running towards conservative beliefs. And in general we live in a society that cultivates conservative beliefs, especially with men. I think most people equate liberals with sissies.
Here in the United States, I have an impression that the Democratic Party, which is the liberal party here, is seen as not patriotic unlike the Republican Party, which is our nation's conservative party. And that might harm voter impressions, along with an American mindset that is very anti-taxation. Part of it might just be simple ignorance, but I also think it might be a generational issue too: although youth in the USA might want to support a conservative brand, they themselves don't support the ideology. In fact, nearly three-fourths of millennials (that would be my generation) support marriage equality. And it's not surprising. For us, same-sex relationships aren't new, it's a norm. We're used to them and we accept them. Same thing with birth control, use of public transportation, and other things Americans associate with liberalism. Conservative groups say that millennials are abandoning liberalism. Hogwash. The only reason why Romney did better than McCain did four years ago with the 18-35 age group is not quite Obama's fault. Job creation has been slow, and there are your handful of college students who didn't feel like supporting the President this time around. I bet the lack of support is associated with struggles in regards to job searching among college graduates.
So if you are a politician, and want to be guaranteed a permanent job as a legislator or as an executive, keep this in mind. It's the economy, you idiot!
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